[Extract copied in a letter from John
Frost, George W. Gale, Noah Coe, and S. C. Aikin to Asahel
Nettleton, dated Utica, May 7, 1827, published in the New-York
Observer and reprinted in The Religious Intelligencer, 12 (New
Haven: 5 January 1828), p. 499.]

Br. Finney wrote to us from Troy soon after
we visited you, and expressed his conviction that your letter to
Br. A. and Dr. Beecher's to Br. Beman ought to be published. His
letter is dated, Troy, March 10. "You know that while you were
here, an extract from Dr. B.'s letter was published. These
extracts have been sent in all directions. The thing has become
perfectly notorious, that Br. N. and B. and many others, are
opposed to us; insomuch that one of the greatest opposers of
religion, living at some distance from the city, says, 'We have
all the New-England clergy on our side.' In the printed extract
Br. Nettleton's letter to Br. Aikin, and Dr. Beecher's to Br.
Beman are mentioned, and indeed the whole thing is unmasked before
the world. So far as the ungodly are concerned, the thing can be
no worse; and among the brethren they make as much use of the
letters as if they were in print; and all this without giving us
an opportunity to answer them. Now this thing cannot and must not
be kept in the dark. The world and the church are substantially
in possession of one side of the question. It is well that the
proceeding has been thus far exparte. Let us read often and pray
over the 13th I. Cor. If they come out in print 'tis well. If
not and they continue to circulate their letters, &c. then, if
it be thought necessary, we must print their letters and answer
them."